Abstract
Purpose :
To explore variations in the cost, components and affordability of eye examinations conducted in optometry practices in Western Nova Scotia, Canada.
Methods :
A telephone survey was undertaken to assess the cost of obtaining an eye examination provided by a licensed optometrists in a sample of optometry practices in Western Nova Scotia, Canada. Descriptive summary statistics were tabulated for the key variables of interest.
Results :
Complete responses were obtained from a total of fourteen (14) unique optometric practices. The mean cost for an eye examination was CDN $ 121 (SD: $17.92; Range: $95 to $140). The mean waiting time to the first available appointment was 4.14 weeks (SD: 2.4 weeks; Range: 1 to 9 weeks). All eye examinations included an overall assessment of the health of the eye, an intra-ocular pressure (IOP) test and the provision of a prescription if required. 85% (n=12) of the eye examinations also included some sort of retinal imaging, most commonly via Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), while only 14% (n=2) included visual field perimetry as part of the eye examination. 50% (n=6/12) of optometry practices who did not include visual fields as part of the eye exam, however, responded that they could arrange for visual field testing at an additional mean cost of CDN $ 45.50 (SD: $ 11.69; Range: $ 25 to $ 56) if required. The mean number of hours worked at a minimum wage of CDN $12.55 to afford an eye examination was 9.68 hours (SD: 1.48 hours; Range: 7.57 to 11.16 hours).
Conclusions :
The cost of accessing an eye examination was found to be high, particularly among lower wage earners in Nova Scotia. Either increasing the supply of optometrists across Nova Scotia or reducing the cost of obtaining an eye examinations may assist in increasing the affordability of eye exams, thus potentially preventing avoidable vision loss and blindness.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.